Network coverage is the key determinant of service provider choice
according to our survey of 451 cellular subscribers across three cities –
Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. Furthermore, existing service provider
choices have “rubbed off” on preferred technologies post-3G, with 70.1% of
respondents preferring the 3G technology offered by their existing service
provider. Handsets were a surprisingly small driver (8.1% of respondents
who were prepared switch post-3G).
■ The survey responses look bullish for China Mobile, given its current,
and in the near- to medium-term sustainable, network coverage advantages.
Indeed 71.0% of subscribers viewed TD-SCDMA as the “best” 3G
technology. The responses look bearish for China Unicom and China
Telecom’s 3G cellular service prospects. Their key advantage (global scale
behind 3G handset supply) was given a much lower priority by users.
■ ‘Tipping-point’ some way off. A technology-led “tipping-point”, whereby
high-end users look to churn away from China Mobile and its GSM/TDSCDMA
service therefore looks some way off, and might never happen.
■ We maintain our OUTPERFORM rating on China Mobile (target HK$105),
NEUTRAL rating on China Unicom (target HK$12.35) and
UNDERPERFORM rating on China Telecom (target HK$3.79).